the 1st & 15th...

No, I'm talking about pay days... although, those are good days.

I'm talking about (yes again) the first and fifteenth days of my 24-Day Challenge.

I know you all are interested in my progress and to see how I look.

I really wanted to avoid posting any more of my "first day" pics,

but I feel that because of some of the non-believers or nay-sayers

out there, it's important that they see my true progress...

aside from me being in a swim suit.  And I wouldn't do that to ya!
For anyone that knows me, when I find something that really
works or that I love I want to share it.

Let me say, I absolutely hate the first two photos here...

not only because of the way I looked, but also for the way I felt.

They were taken on Day 1 while my second born homegirl

and I were out on a long walk.

 It was like 90 degrees here in Dallas
at that very moment and I felt bloated, sluggish, and gross.
But by the end of the walk, I was red-faced, out of breath and sweaty...
but I was feeling pretty darn good.

This is the one I loath the most.
Please forget you ever saw it.
Thank you.

Let's just move...

And here I am yesterday morning in my kitchen on Day 15.

Ahh, much better.  And I was (and still am) feeling pretty darn great too.

Aside from my everyday ordinary activities of keeping house

and chasing after a 2 year old, I've only been on several long walks...

I've had no other form of "real" exercise.

Although, I'm about to hit the gym to try to
lose more and tone up some flab.
I may never be able to get rid of my belly jiggle or bulge
and I'm ok with that... after all, I am a realist.
I've carried five babies in my belly and I'm perfectly
content with forever wearing a tankini!

So, there you are... my results so far on the 24-Day Challenge.
It's been an eye-opening, lifetime change for me.
More importantly than weighing a certain amount or being

a certain dress size, is how I feel.  And I feel 100% better, healthier,
cleaner, and have more energy!
No piece of chocolate, soda or stick of butter has ever done THAT for me!

xo

pure and simple veggie soup...

I'm off The Cleanse!  Whew!
That was a challenge.  But I did it, and I felt (and still feel) GREAT!
Today, I'm on day 4 of the MAX Phase (go here to see my previous
post if you haven't a clue as to what I'm talking about),
and day 14 of the 24-Day Challenge.  I've never felt better!

I ended the 10-Day Cleanse with a loss of: 1-inch in my bust, 3 1/2-inches
in my waist, 2-inches in my hips, and 1-inch in my thighs.
I immediately ran to the mall and bought a new pair of size 8's!
I couldn't contain myself.  If I lose more, I'll just have them taken in.
But in all actuality, I'm ok with a size 8... now, if only I could tone up the flab.  ;)

As promised, here is a (not so good) photo of me on day 1 of The Challenge.

I'll try to remember to get another photo this week.

Also, as promised, here is a run down of a typical
day of eating while on the Cleanse... this was my 3rd day.
I was craving something hot and comforting for dinner, so I came up
with this veggie soup.  It's not so different from any other veggie soup,
I suppose, but to me, that night, it was the BEST THING EVER.  ;)

Day 3
Upon rising I would (and still do) drink a tall glass of chilled water.
Then, I would drink the (yummy... NOT) Fiber drink that comes with the Cleanse.
After about 30-minutes I would have a SPARK drink.  I love this stuff!

Then, it went like this...
A banana.
A glass of ice water.
About 1 cup of Low-Sodium V-8 Juice.  I guess this was my
lunch that day.  Starting on Day 4 I would have a hearty green salad
with half of a tomato and half of an avacado.  I would add about 1/2 a can
of tuna (or some days, grilled salmon) with fresh lemon juice and lots of pepper.
As an afternoon snack, I had a handful of almonds with another SPARK drink.
About an hour and a half later I had a handful of fresh baby carrots.
Ice water.
For dinner I had a 1/2 cup of hot Veggie Soup with the salad I just described above.
More ice water.
And finally, a handfull of red seedless grapes right before bed.
I found the grapes were helpful with night time sweet cravings.

Whew!  Am I glad that Cleanse is over with!

However, this Veggie Soup recipe is one that I will most definitely make again.

~Pure & Simple Veggie Soup~4 small to medium size Yukon Gold Potatoes, chopped
10 to 12 baby carrots, chopped
3 stalks of celery, chopped
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 giant (49oz) can of Swanson Chicken Broth
1 (14oz) can of Swanson Chicken Stock
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
Fresh ground pepper to taste... I like a LOT!A few dashes of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can green beans, drained and rinsed
2 medium yellow squash, sliced
2 medium zucchini, chopped
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper... or more to taste.

Place the chopped potatoes, carrots, celery and onions in a soup pot or dutch oven.
Add the chicken broth, chicken stock, olive oil, Kosher salt, pepper,
garlic powder and seasoned salt.
Place over medium-high heat, stir well and bring to a boil.
Boil for about 30-minutes, or until the potatoes are softened.
Add in the green beans, squash, zucchini and Cayenne Pepper.
Stir until blended.
Simmer over medium-low heat for about 15-minutes more.
Serve with hot fresh French bread, whole wheat bread or over whole wheat spiral pasta.

Make it a great week and enjoy this soup!
xo

AdvoCare's 24-Day Challenge... Part 1, The 10-Day Cleanse

Since this post did not work on my facebook page, I thought I'd post it here and see if it worked better.

Hello Friends and Family...

As some of you may know I started the 24-Day Challenge 7 days ago. My objective was and is, to manage my health (not that I have any pending issues that I'm aware of), gain more energy, become more mentally alert, and of course, shed some pounds. Not that I am (or was) a couch potato to begin with. I'm just the typical stay-at-home-mom whose feet hit the floor in the morning and keep going until I fall into bed, exhausted, at night. About the only time I actually sit during the day is when I'm driving my teens to and from school or a grocery run. I also felt that I ate pretty healthy, for the most part, as well, covering all the basic food groups. This cleanse has poven otherwise and has made me "re-think" my relationship with food. Now, don't get me wrong, or go into panic mode... I STILL love to cook! And, I still have a love for food. I just may do some things differently in the future, that's all. My point is, most days I felt I had "foggy head", even after two and three cups of coffee in the mornings. By mid-afternoon I sometimes needed another boost of caffeine (either a COKE or a Micky D's coffee). And overall, I just felt bloated and sluggish and mentally tired. I needed to change something, and after learning about the 24-Day Challenge, I knew that's what I needed to do.

The first 10 days is the "Cleanse Phase"... and yes, it's been trying and down right difficult at times. And, I cannot lie... Yes, I have cheated, slipped up, got off track, and blew it a few times. But it's ok. I'm not beating myself up or throwing in the towel just yet (that's one things I like about myself ;)). One of the best things about this program is, it gives you an 80/20 rule... and that is "Shoot to be 80% compliant with the eating plan so that you get the results you want". It's not super strict and that's why I've been able to "forgive" myself and keep going. However, I have had to discipline myself and have a strong will power to succeed at times. And yes, I have been hungry, even starving, at times... but I found, it was when I hadn't eaten in a while. I have actually been keeping a food log and have been amazed at how much food I have eaten... even kinda grossed out. ;)But like I updated today as my status, being on the 24-Day Challenge (and only for 7 days), I have increased energy (with out feeling jittery), I feel more mentally sound and awake, and best of all, I have lost inches. I don't have a scale in mi casa because I feel you can get too caught up on weighing a certain number. Every body is different, and for me, it's mostly about how I look and feel. I do, however, own a sewing tape measure (I think that's what it's called) and I took my measurements on the first day. Here's what they were...
~ Bust: 41 inches
~ Waist: 35.5"
~ Hips: 39"
~ Thighs: 25.5"

And here is what the tape measure says today, day 7...
~ Bust: 41" (damn!)
~ Waist: 33"
~ Hips: 38"
~ Thighs: 24.5"

And, I ain't lyin'! 'Cause if I lie I break out in hives... and I hate hives! ;)

So, for everyone that is interested, here is a link to two short videos explaining what it is and how it all works.

And here are the instruction and eating guidlines for The 10-Day Cleanse and The Max Phase, days 11-24 for the 24-Day Challenge.

If you have any questions or are interested in doing the 24-Day Challenge, just message me... It is changing my life!
I will be sharing more soon... A yummy veggie soup recipe and maybe even a few pictures.  Maybe.
Peace, Love and Good Health!
Rolo